Weighted golf club head cover



March 6, 1956 c, ABEL 2,737,394

WEIGHTED GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER Filed Jan. 25, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 26 24 I6 I5 IO I3 22 2| lnvenfor DAMON c. ABEL Afforney March 6, 1956 o. c. ABEL 2,737,394

WEIGHTED GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER Filed'Jan. 25, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 4 Inventor Attorney United States Patent '0 WEIGHTED GOLF CLUB HEAD COVER Damon C. Abel, Quantico, Va. Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 405,772

6 Claims. (Cl. 273-194 This invention relates to sports equipment and more particularly to that employed in the game of golf. Specifically, the invention relates to a device which performs the dual function of protecting the head of a golf club and providing an instantly available weighted practice club.

The invention is an improvement and further development over the subject matter of an application filed November 14, 1951, by Damaske, Serial No. 256,280, Patent No. 2,676,803.

It is an object of the invention to provide a weighted head cover for a golf club including a hood of flexible sheet material which will protect the head of the club from the elements as well as from contact with other clubs or objects which might mar the surface and which can be used as any other hood cover but which has additional weight and means for preventing the cover from being accidentally or unintentionally removed or displaced from the head of the golf club so that an instantly available practice club of increased weight is obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a weighted head cover which is practical, commercially feasible, susceptible of'being produced in a number of forms to satisfy the requirements of the user as well as a head cover of greater'usefulness but which does not add auxiliary or additional equipment or the responsibility of caring for the same therefore increasing the probabilities of its being lost or misplaced.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective of a head cover illustrating one embodiment of the present invention; a

Fig. 2, a bottom plan view of the head cover of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a top plan view of the head cover of Figs. 1 and 2; v

Fig. 4, a bottom plan view of the head cover of the preceding figures with the central or waist portion constricted by a strap by means of which it may be prevented from accidental displacement from a golf club;

Fig. 5, a side elevation of the structure of the preceding figures;

Fig. 6, a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7, a horizontal section on the'line 7-7 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8, a perspective of a head cover slightly different from that of the preceding figures;

Fig.9, a top plan view of the head cover of Fig. 8; Fig. 10, a bottom plan of the head cover of Fig. 8;

Fig. '11, an enlarged fragmentary detail of the open weight receiving mouth of the head cover of Figures 8, 9 and 10 with the lead weights exposed;

Fig. 12, a bottom plan view of a further form of head 2,737,394 Patented Mar. 6, 1956 Fig. 15, a plan view of a companion cover to that of Fig. 13; and I Fig. 16, a section on the line 1616 of Fig. 15.

Briefly stated, the invention is a weighted cover for the head of a conventional golf club. The head cover serves the usual function and in addition provides a weighted practice club readily available for exercising the muscles of the body preliminary to using the club in playing the game of golf.

The cover may be fabricated of any desired material such as leather, fabric or the like and preferably with a soft interior which will not mar the surface of a club head and with or without a lining. Across the body of the hood cover is attached in any desired manner a strip of sheet material, such strip being attached at one end as for example in the seam between sections and along its opposite edges, but with its opposite end preferably left unattached to provide a mouth for the insertion of lead in the form of thin disks or other weights, the strip having a flap and a separable fastener for attachment to the cooperating fastener on the head cover. Thus, by unsnapping the flap at the mouth of the pocket, disks may be inserted and removed.

The hood cover may be constricted along its central portion by stitching with elastic incorporated therein or in any other desired manner, and a diagonally disposed strapmay be proyided'having one end v attached in the seam near the central constricted portion and its other end attached near the lower end of the hood cover. A snap fastener is attached to the head cover for engagement by a snap fastener on the strap near its permanently attached end so that by moving the attached lower end of the strap and extending it around the body of the hood and attaching it to the snap fastener on the hood, dislodgment including during the swinging of the club is prevented.

With continued reference to the drawings as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 7, a head cover comprises a pair of top and bottom members 10 and 11 of sheet material fastened together along their edges by means of stitches 12. Corresponding lining sections 13 and 14 of fleecy or soft material may be employed and sewn together at the time that the top and bottom sections are sewn together.

Stitching 15 may be employed across the body of the hood around the waist or approximate middle portion of same and such stitching may incorporate elastic 16 to cause the waist of the cover to conform more closely to the relatively small shaft 17 of a golf club when the head is enclosed within the hood cover.

Across the body of the hood cover is disposed a strip of sheet material 18 by means of which a pocket is formed in connection with the hood cover. The strip 18 may be attached to the hood cover in any desired manner as for example by having one end caught in the seam by the stitches 12 between the opposite edges of the top and bottom sections. The opposite end of the strap 18 is preferably left unattached to provide a mouth for the insertion of weight which may be in the form of thin lead disks or the like. The strap may have a flap 21 and a separable fastener 22 for securing the flap in a closed position. The flap may be unsnapped to permit the insertion and removal of lead disks or other weights 23 (Fig. 6). The member 18 thus provides a pocket for relatively fiat weights and serves as a reinforcement for the rear or bottom face of thehoo'd cover.

The waist portion of the hood cover fits more closely than the head housing "portion of the hood cover in which the head of a golf club is disposed, however, this is insufficient to retain the hood cover on the club when the latter is swung in practice and consequently in order to maintain the hood cover' on the club an attaching strap 24 is provided, such strap having one'endperma .nently secured in the seam by the stitching attaching the front and rear sections. Adjacent the attached end of the strap is a projection 25 of a separable fastener and on the other end of the strap is a cooperating spcket Z6. The strap 24 is adapted to be wrapped around the waist of the cover and the parts 25 and 26 of the snap fastener connected as shown in Fig. 4, thus securing the hood cover on the club. When the strap is not in use, it may be disposed in an inclined position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with the socket-carrying portion 26 of the detachable fastener engaging a cooperating projection 25 near the open end of the hood on section 19. Thus the strap 24 enhances the appearance of the device in one position and in the other position prevents separation of the club. and cover, and when weights are added an instantly available relatively heavier practice club is provided.

Instead of the hood cover just described, a slightly modified form maybe provided composed of top and bottom sections 30 and 31 and inner and outer sole sections 32 and 33 the latter being provided with a flap 34 withseparable' fastener elements 35 and 36. When the flap 34 is unfastened, weights 23 may be inserted or removed. The sole members 32 and 33 are circular and have their edges stitched or otherwise secured to the top and bottom members 30 and 31 except across the mouth of the flap 34 of the outer sole member 30. Thus a hood cover is provided which is similar in nature to that of the hood cover of the previous figures except for the fact that it is slightly more streamlined. It may also be provided with stitching 37 in which elastic may be incorporated and with a strap 38 having one end permanently fastened in the stitching between the sections 30 and 31 as previously described. Also it may have a separable fastener projection 39 adjacent its attached end and a socket adjacent its opposite end so that it may be fastened around the waist portion of the cover or be attached to the hood cover at an angle as described with regard to the preceding figures.

The present invention contemplates a hood cover 41 of a character similar to that of Figs. 8-11 inclusive but with the exception that the sole of the cover contains weights which are not removable due to annular stitching 43 around the circular margin where it is attached to the other portions of the cover.

The cover may be fabricated of leather as is contemplated by the illustrations in the first l2 figures, although the material employed may be varied as desired. For example, in Fig. 13, there is disclosed a hood cover with a skirt or open end 44 of another material such as for example a tough fabric such as tackle twill, which has been found satisfactory. The upper portion of the hood may be provided with a leather or other reinforc- 1 8 P 1 45 and with, pocket forming strap 46 corresponding ,to the strap 1810f the earlier figures of the drawing. It may also have a strap 47 like the straps 24 and 38 previously described and intended to be used in the same manner.

In Fig. is disclosed a hood cover which is a companion to that of Fig. 13 except that it has no weights or pockets therefor, but instead may have a body 44 and a reinforcement 45 similar to the body and reinforcement of the cover of Fig. 13. The body 45, however, is provided with a cut-out 48 to provide a number to indicate whether the club is a brassie, spoon or other type of club, which in the present instance is a No. 3 wood, referred to as a spoon.

This companion cover may have an angular strap .49 secured b s ch g .50 and a cn e ticna sqnncc itm 51 by which it may be secured to one ormore other hood covers.

.I i l be ap a n fr m t fo e in t a h de i e of the p n in nt on is susc p ib e o a ation in tructu e nd appe ran e sat s y the use a w l s to provide differences inpnice. Further the head cover of the present invention does not increase the equipment normally used, and therefore does not add to the responsibility or provide an additional item to be cared for by the user, and it may be loose or form-fitting in accordance with the desires of the user.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore, the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A weighted cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and from being marred by physical contact, said hood being weighted and when applied to the club the latter becomes available as a relatively heavy practice club, means forming a pocket in connection with said hood for retaining a weight therein, said means comprising a piece of sheet material attached to the flexible material of the hood in a manner to provide said pocket and having one of its edges unattached thereby providing a mouth'open ing for said pocltet through which said weight may bein' serted and removed, means whereby said weight" may be retained in said pocket and against discharge through said mouth while said hood is in position on a club being swung in practice, a strap permanently fastened adjacent one end of said hood and of a length to encircle said hood when applied to a golf club, said strap being provided with attachable fastening means for remov ably securing said hood upon the head of the club so 7 that it will not be thrown therefrom by centrifugal force dur n the s in i of the club in practice, and n s? whereby said strap may be fastened diagonally on said hood when said strap is not employed for securing the hood upon the head of the club.

2. A weighted cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and from being marred by physical contact, said hood being weighted and when applied to the club the latter becomes available as a relatively heavy practice club, means forming a pocket in connection with said head for retaining weight therein, said means comprising sheet material attached transversely of the exterior of the hood in a ma n t prov de sa d Pocket d having a and P m t ached the e providing a mouth en n for sai pocket through which said Weight may be inserted and removed, and a snap fastener for attaching the nna ttached end of said sheet material so that said weight may be retained in said pocket and against discharge through said mouth while said hood is in position on a club being swung in practice, but which may be unfastened to permit said weight to be inserted and removed, and means f r r mpvabl se in a hood up t e hea o he club so that it will not be thrown therefrom by eentrifngal force during the swinging of the club in practice,

3. A weighted'form-fitting cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and f qmbsi s mar d by P ys on t a .1 .05 bei weighted and when applied to the club the latter becomes available for use as a relatively heavy practice club, said eed comp i n a p of f e sheet st tch together at opposite sides, and with one of the sheets b ing ubs an lly onger t an the t e a pair o 11. 3% ble sheets circularly sewn to the first sheets and providin .a Weigh e ai in p ke een th same Is tively flatweight in said pocket, annular stitching around said weight spaced inwardly of the margin of said hood to permanently secure the weight in place and Prevent its removal therefrom, and strap means for removably securing said hood upon the head of the club so that it will not be thrown therefrom by centrifugal force during the swinging of the club in practice.

4. A weighted cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and from being marred by physical contact, said hood having a resiliently constricted waist, a substantially form-fitting club head covering portion with a sole constructed to fit fiat against the flat under-surface of the club and with a slightly flared skirt, said hood being weighted and when applied to the club the latter becomes available for use as a relatively heavy practice club, the sole of said hood comprising spaced flexible sheets connected in a manner to provide a pocket between the same for retaining a weight therein, means whereby said weight may be positively retained in said pocket while said hood is in position on or removed from a club, and strap means for removably securing said hood upon the head of the club so that it will not be thrown therefrom by centrifugal force during the swinging of the club in practice.

5. A weighted cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and from being marred by physical contact, means adding weight to said hood so that when it is applied to the club the latter becomes available for use as a relatively heavy practice club, means forming a pocket in connection with said hood for retaining a weight therein, said means comprising sheet material attached to the flexible material of the hood and providing an opposed flexible portion attached along its margin to provide a pocket for containing a weight, means whereby said weight may be positively retained in said pocket and against discharge therefrom while said hood is in position on or removed from a club, and strap means for removably securing said hood in place upon the head of the club so that it will not be thrown therefrom by centrifugal force during the swinging of the club in practice, said hood comprising a body of fabric with said pocketforming members of leather.

6. A weighted form-fitting cover for a golf club head comprising a hood of flexible sheet material of a character to protect the head of the club from the weather and from being marred by physical contact, said hood being weighted and when applied to a club the latter becomes available for use as a relatively heavy practice club, said hood comprising a body of flexible material shaped to snugly receive the head of a golf club, a pocket formed in said sheet material adjacent the shaped golf club head receiving portion thereof, a weight in said pocket, said pocket being permanently closed to prevent removal of the weight without detection thereby preventing unauthorized tampering therewith, said hood having a resiliently constructed waist, and strap means for removably securing said hood upon the head of the club so that it will not be thrown therefrom by centrifugal force during the swinging of the club in practice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,389 Blake Aug. 21, 1928 2,116,655 Berrittella May 10, 1938 2,676,803 Damaske Apr. 27, 1954 

